Urban Development
Austin, Texas OKs Stricter Guidelines For Big-Box Retail
New rules approved by the Austin City Council require that neighbors be notified of proposed big-box development and that a public hearing be held for the project.
Converting A High School Into Housing
In a creative deal to save a historic structure and also add to the city's desperately needed stock of workforce housing, the school district in Waco, Texas, agreed to sell the old Waco High building to a private developer.
What The Future Holds For Shanghai
Shanghai, already the largest city in China, anticipates a population of 25 million by 2020. A week long series on National Public Radio covers the amazing stories surrounding the city's growth and development.
Bloomberg's New Plan For New York
New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg has unveiled a broad plan to re-envision the city. He has recognized three major challenges: a population increase of 1 million residents within 25 years, a crumbling infrastructure, and a need to go green.
Urbanizing India And China Look To Build Green
With populations steadily increasing in India and China, the two countries are looking to green building methods to reduce their energy use as they urbanize and move more closely to Western energy consumption patterns.
Leasing Retail Space In Transit-Oriented Developments
Fruitvale Village in Oakland, California, provides a valuable case study for designing and leasing retail space in transit-oriented development projects.
Will Smart Growth Work In Los Angeles?
Giant mixed-use projects are coming, but are Angelenos ready to change their driving lifestyle?
Of Skybridges And Sidewalks
A battle is brewing in Salt Lake City over a proposed skybridge over Main street that would link two shopping centers near Temple Square.
The Debate Over City Planning In Toronto
With the city's planning and zoning rules outdated and elected officials often catering to the interests of developers or NIMBYs, many decry Toronto's "let's-make-a-deal" planning.
New York Is Getting Too Big
The city's strained infrastructure can't handle the forecasted growth, say experts. To remain globally competitive, the city is faced with the challenge of major upgrades.
Boutique Cities Aren't The Problem
Responding to Joel Kotkin's critique of cities who woo "creative class" over the middle class, Jerold Kayden, director of urban planning at Harvard Graduate School of Design, argues that revitalizing cities isn't as simple as copying sunbelt cities.
New York City Plans For More Growth, Success
With a new study projecting major future growth, New York City Mayor Bloomberg is set to unveil a major planning initiative with an emphasis on sustainability.
Orlampa: The Merging Of Two Cities
A new world is emerging midway between Orlando and Tampa along Interstate 4. Some say as soon as 10 years, others, in 20 years, strawberry fields and pastures will be paved over and Tampa to Orlando will be one big metropolitan area.
Do You Need A Parking Space With That?
While most cities are extremely reluctant to permit housing without parking, a few are taking steps to reduce or eliminate the typical requirements and allow developers to provide less parking and unbundle spaces from units.
Rating A City's Neighborhoods
The Kansas City Star newspaper created an extensive methodology to do a report card on city neighborhood trends and then rank the best neighborhoods within Kansas City, Missouri.
Best Ideas Of 2006 Features Innovations In Planning
Urban design, housing for homeless people, and planning for decreased population are highlighted in the New York Times Magazine's annual survey of innovative ideas.
Beware The Skyscraper Curse
World's tallest skyscrapers tend to top out just as economic growth cycles end. With megatowers in Taipei, Shanghai, and Dubai are nearing completion, will the "skyscraper curse" kick in yet again?
Does Sprawl Cause Obesity? Maybe Not
A new study released by a University of Toronto researcher suggests that sprawl is not necessarily the cause of the obesity widely reported to exist in sprawling areas, but rather obese people may simply be attracted to sprawl.
The American Mall: Now The Public Space Of Choice?
The new form of the shopping mall -- lifestyle centers -- are fulfilling the original destiny of the American mall by "re-creating the essence of urban life", writes Virginia Postrel in a Los Angeles Times opinion.
The New Urbanism, Minus The Urban?
A growing number of exclusive gated communities in remote areas, dubbed "The New Ruralism", is raising eyebrows among planners, environmentalists, and local residents.
FREE Course: Walkable City 1: Why Walkability?
After describing his path towards focusing on walkability as the essence of good planning, Jeff Speck marches through his five principal reasons for making more walkable places.
Reinventing Malls: Planning Alchemy—Turning Gray Fields Into Gold
The course focuses on the opportunities and imperatives that shape reinvention of mall sites.
City of Rosemead
Rutgers University, Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy
One Hundred Miles
University of Michigan School for Environment and Sustainability (SEAS)
Hunter College, City University of New York (CUNY)
The Architects Foundation
City of Cambridge
Montrose County
The Pocatello Development Authority
